Four people were killed and at least 27 others were injured in a
cyclonic storm in Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills district, officials said
Thursday.
High velocity winds, accompanied by rain and lightning late Wednesday
night rendered hundreds of families homeless and uprooted hundreds of
trees, telephone and electric poles, and snapped lines, a government
official said.
“Four people, including a six-month-old baby were died on the spot when
he was crushed in the rubble of his cyclone-ravaged house,” S
Kharlyngdoh, the district magistrate of West Khasi Hills, said.
Those killed have been identified as Edmund Nongsieg, 20, Pynibor
Nongsieg, 12, Phibanroi Marngar, 25 and her six-month-old baby.
He said 27 people have been admitted in the government-run hospital at
Nongstoin – 15 of them are in a critical condition and seven were
discharged after first-aid, the official said.
“Magistrates and police officials have rushed to the six affected
villages -- Dom Wahlang, Lumpyngad, Nongryngngoi, Khliehmawlieh,
Risiang, Dom Wahlang Mawsiang and Umyiap Nongrangle -- to take stock of
the situation,” Kharlyngdoh said.
He said the government has set up relief camps at four places to
accommodate displaced villagers. “We will set up more relief camps if
required,” the district magistrate added.
Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister in-charge of revenue and disaster
management Roytre.Christopher.Laloo said he has directed his official to
assess the damage caused by the cyclonic storm in West Khasi Hills.
“The government had released immediate funds to the district
administration for distribution of essential items among the affected
families and the government will extend all necessary help to the
affected villagers,” Laloo told IANS.
He said an ex-gratia payment of Rs.1.5 lakh each to the next of kin of
those killed in a cyclonic storm would be made at the earliest.
Rains damage houses in Mizoram
Pre-monsoon rainfall accompanied by strong squall hit many places in
Mizoram last evening leaving trails of destruction in a number of
places, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department sources said.
Southernmost Lawngtlai district was the hardest hit with around 50
houses damaged in Lawngtlai town and surrounding villages, the officials
said.
According to a PTI report, while 12 houses were damaged in Chanmari-II
locality of Lawngtlai town, 11 houses were damaged in Bungtlang South,
and about 80 houses south of the town. Power supply lines were damaged
causing power failure in many villages and telecommunication was also
severely affected.